Amy Scherzer's Diary
Wear plaid, eat hearty
WHISKY AND HAGGIS: Native Scots, descendants of Scots and friends of Scots celebrated their heritage with the St. Andrew's Society on Saturday at the annual Feast of the Haggis. Dinner at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club began with a parade of tartan banners, led by St. Andrew's Pipes & Drums of Tampa Bay. Then the haggis arrived, with the chef, to great fanfare and ample single-malt whisky. Haggis is a mix of turnips, potatoes and oatmeal, traditionally cooked in a sheep's stomach, nowadays cooked in sausage casing. It's best eaten with 20-year malt whisky, "the older the better," said Mac McLean, one of the founders and a past president of the society.
By AMY SCHERZER, Times Staff Writer
Published December 12, 2003
The dress code: kilts and sporrans optional. Kilt suits are the fashion for businessmen in Scotland, and at night, they switch to leather kilts, said Fioana Prosser, owner of Celtic Dream Tours. "They're very comfortable," added her husband, Ian Prosser.
Chief Steward Ken Walters gave a toast "to bonnie lassies" and Annie Kate Carpenter, the only female on the board, toasted the "braw laddies." ("Braw" is Gaelic for "brave.") Then it was time for Auld Lang Syne and dancing to the Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra.
ESSENCE OF GOODNESS: African Ambassadors, a group of doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, financial planners and others, welcomed new members, sponsors and volunteers at a holiday dinner at the Harbour Island Walk clubhouse Saturday. About 100 guests, many wearing African ceremonial robes, came to support the mission of providing free medical, legal and social services to those in need. Founder Dr. Chuma Osuji spoke of "the essence of goodness" and presented checks for medical expenses to four people. New sponsor the Kennedee Group added its support. African Art Gallery and Museum owner Cynthia Bailey offered items for auction, including an African mask and drum.
EXTREME GINGERBREAD MAKEOVERS: They began with champagne mimosas and ended up to their elbows in icing at Saturday's Create Your Own Gingerbread House sponsored by the American Red Cross. The $60 ticket included everything: brunch, bags of gumdrops, jelly beans, candy canes and more at the University of Tampa. But the gingerbread decorating pros knew to bring their own coconut to make snowflakes, ice cream cones for trees and frosted Mini-Wheats cereal for snowy shingles. Dinah Arnette, Julie Hytoff and Janet Reynolds donated theirs to the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.
Organizers expect to net $20,000, thanks to Alessi Bakeries' donation of 75 gingerbread houses and UT providing icing and volunteers from Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Betty Poe bought nine tickets and gave eight to friends. But guess whose ticket won the raffle for a ceramic angel? Hers.
SAVING YESTERDAY FOR TOMORROW: Bayshore Beautiful lived up to its name Saturday nightfor 400-plus visitors to the Tampa Preservation Inc. Candlelight Tour. Guests raved about Tom and Karen Arthur's spectacular 7,400-plus-square-foot Villa Rosa Park manse, noting the wall of Vogue magazine covers that Karen graced for years. Across the way, Jean-Pierre and Alicia Russoniello opened their lovingly restored home, built in 1929. Three more homes were a block over on Hawthorne Road. Schezy and Stephen Barbas had expanded their 1920s classical revival, carefully matching the existing brick and wood. Ed Gunning's bungalow, filled with antiques, charmed. Paula and Joe Rousselle's 1999 Vegas-inspired design, um, didn't seem to fit the mold. Visitors were well-fed and wined at each stop. The 12th annual tour brought in at least 10 new members and is expected to raise $15,000.
OPTIMIST OF THE YEAR: Hugs and kisses from 200 friends and admirers thrilled Mamie Ferlita Suszynski, named Opti-Mrs. Woman of the Year by the Ybor City club Sundayat the Marriott Westshore. Funnyman Jack Espinosa emceed the 53rd annual Christmas Dinner Dance, razzing Suszynski and everyone else in sight. Suszynski used to sing on a weekly radio show she hosted on WFLA. She retired from Tampa General Hospital in 1994 after 16 years as a medical transcriptionist and secretary. Since then, she has coordinated lunch outings for Ybor City senior citizens at different restaurants every month. A highlight for her: singing for vice president Harry S. Truman in 1944.
SETTING THE PACE: State Rep. Sandra Murman and husband Jim hosted a wine and cheese get-together with their Davis Islands neighbors, Sandy and Dottie Berger MacKinnon, on Dec. 2 for the PACE Center for Girls.
PACE executive director Nikki Daniels, board president John Schifino, board member Murman and PACE social worker Sharon Christianson explained the center's mission to about 60 guests. Christianson speaks from experience. She attended the PACE Center.
Among the guests: Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Judges Jack Espinosa Jr., Richard A. Nielsen and Emmett L. Battles; former Mayor Dick Greco; his wife, Linda, and daughter Dana Greco-Tilton, a PACE board member. The event raised $5,650 for educational and counseling programs that can produce life-changing opportunities for at-risk girls.
- To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com
DATEBOOK
TODAY: Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary volunteer holiday lunch and doll show; 11:45 a.m.; 1100 W Sligh Ave.; 226-0055, ext. 402.
DEC. 15: Florida Orchestra Guild's Cookie Exchange; 10 a.m.; home of Diane Murfee; bring three or four dozen cookies to swap, call 991-7813 for directions.
DEC. 31: Florida Orchestra New Year's Eve Gala; 6:30 p.m.; Renaissance Vinoy Hotel; $350; 286-1170, ext. 318.
JAN. 17: To Life Award dinner benefits the Florida Holocaust Museum; 7:30 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Downtown, $200; black-tie optional; special guest Jon Voight; 727-820-0100, ext. 249.
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